Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
11th-13th century A.D. Finno-Ugrian with curved blade, swept rear edge, square chin, socket with downwards flanged sides. Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.XCII, item 16.602 grams, 16.5 cm (6 1/2 in.). Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the category of Eastern Axes inside the Viking axe classification. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter. Bearded axes of this type appear also in the weaponry of people from the Baltic. [No Reserve]